Journey into the heart of Western Kenya with our delightful soapstone elephants. Skillfully hand-carved by dedicated artisans, each elephant bursts with vibrant colors and intricate details, promising to infuse a touch of whimsy and world charm into any nook or cranny. Ideal for gracing bookshelves, nightstands, or office desks, these elephants are not just decorative pieces—they're symbols of strength and good fortune. Given the natural diversity of soapstone, colors will vary, ensuring that every elephant you adopt boasts its own unique shade and story. Elevate your space with these petite pachyderms and bask in their radiant charm!
- Measures approximately 2 inches tall.
- Colors will vary based on availability. Photos represent a variety of colors that may be included.
- Chocking hazard. Small parts. - May not be suitable for children under 3 years old or pets.
Care Instructions
Mix mild detergent with water and wipe with soft cloth.
Meet the Artisan
Smolart
The artists of SMOLArt, a group of artists who live in the rural village of Tabaka, Kenya, the heart of soapstone crafts. The name, a shortened version of Small, Medium, and Large Artists, refers to the size of the soapstone products the artisans make, not their stature. Established in 1990, SMOLArt is a member of the WFTO, and as such assures that the artisans are paid a fair price for their work. In addition, the organization support community development by contributing to projects that improve living conditions, education, and health of their members and the village at large.
Soapstone is mined from great pits in the area surrounding Kiisi, Kenya. The mined soapstone is then delivered to carvers who carve sculptures from the natural stone for the wholesale market, the color of which ranges from cream, to pink, to brown, to yellow, to black, to a marbling of all of them. Once carved, the craftspeople smooth rough edges of the soapstone with sandpaper dipped in water and polish the piece to a high gloss or paint African motifs in brilliant colors with etched accents.
All of the soapstone products we sell are completely handmade. The tools consist of household items from screwdrivers, hand drills, to switchblades. "Pangas," sword-like tools usually used for cutting down vegetation, are used to cleave the stone in the mines.